DnF for OTFOC Redacted.pdf

Template last updated 4/23/2018

Brand Name

DETERMINATION & FINDINGS FOR OTHER THAN FULL & OPEN COMPETITION

(ACTIONS SAT AND BELOW)

1. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROCUREMENT: One (1) Universal Robots (UR) 20 OEM Direct Current (DC) Robotic Arm

2. PROPOSED CONTRACTOR/MANUFACTURER:

Manufacturer

Universal Robots Energivej 25 DK-5260 Odense S Denmark

Authorized U.S. Reseller:

[REDACTED]

3. ESTIMATED TOTAL VALUE: [REDACTED]

4. STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING CONTRACTING WITHOUT PROVIDING FOR FULL

AND OPEN COMPETITION: The statutory authority permitting sole source is 41 USC 1901(e), implemented by FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i):

✓ Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements

___ Unusual and Compelling Urgency ___ Industrial Mobilization; Engineering, Developmental, or Research Capability; or Expert

Services ___ International Agreement ___ Authorized or Required by Statute ___ National Security ___ Public Interest

5. JUSTIFICATION FOR THE AUTHORITY CITED ABOVE:

The item(s) listed in section one above is available from only one source and competition is precluded for reasons indicated below. There are no substitutes available.

__✓ Compatibility: The item(s) must be compatible in all aspects (form, fit, and function) with existing systems presently installed. Describe the equipment you have now and how the new item/service must coordinate, connect, or interface with the existing system:

The Army Research Laboratory’s (ARL) Autonomous Systems Branch (ASB) requires one (1) Universal Robotics (UR) 20 OEM Direct Current (DC) Robotic Arm to further its research goals in mobile manipulation in support of the Chemical Biological Center (CBC) Autonomous Chemical Decontamination project.

In September 2023, the ASB obtained a UR-20 Robotic Arm under [REDACTED] for [REDACTED] and is currently integrating it into a complex mobile robotic system for the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) CBC Autonomous Equipment Deconstruction (AED) project. The AED team includes personnel from ARL, CBC, and the DEVCOM Ground Vehicles System Center (GVSC). The UR-20 has a reach, strength, and speed upgrade over the UR-16e arm, obtained under [REDACTED], previously used by the project. AED intends to use the decontamination robot in a series of autonomous chemical decontamination proof-of-concept demonstrations over the next several years. The AED team performed a risk analysis on the project and determined that having only a single arm available represented a significant risk to the success of these demonstrations. Should the UR-20 Robotic Arm become damaged during experimentation, integration, or transit, it will substantially impact the ability of the team to successfully demonstrate the viability of the entire system.

Accordingly, in this purchase, AED is seeking another UR-20 Robotic Arm, this time with an OEM direct current (DC) control box. The original UR-20 Robotic Arm purchase came with an alternating current (AC) non-OEM control box, as the DC-OEM version was not available at the time. However, the arm itself is an identical drop-in replacement to the currently mounted

UR-20.

As such, the current requirement must be for a Universal Robots system to ensure compatibility. If a system were purchased from any other, the original [REDACTED] dollar investment the Government made into the previous purchase would have to be duplicated to reprocure another new compatible system to ensure interoperability with the current requirement. This duplication of cost is not anticipated to be recouped via competition.

Market Research was conducted by [REDACTED] It was concluded that the UR-20 was the only product capable of meeting the salient requirements of weight, power, speed, and strength (payload lifting capacity). Should a temporary or permanent replacement become necessary, having the same robotic arm will save the AED team approximately 150 hardware man-hours and 250 software man-hours working on integrating the arm into the larger system, which amounts to approximately [REDACTED] in labor costs. A completely compatible drop-in replacement of the same make and model of arm could be completed in about 20 hardware man-hours and 10 software man-hours, or roughly [REDACTED] in labor costs.

As such, the Government intends to fulfill this purchase as a brand name sole source for Universal Robots products.

___ Proprietary: A patent, copyright, or proprietary data limits competition. The proprietary data are described as follows:

___ Experimental Continuity: The item(s) must be consistent with prior materials in order to ensure experimental continuity. Describe the conditions that necessitate the use of experimental continuity:

___ Warranty: Purchasing item(s) from another manufacturer/provider would void existing warranty. Provide a brief explanation for the use of this reason and the impact that would occur if the item was purchased from another manufacturer/provider:

___ Direct Replacement: These are “direct replacement” parts/components for existing equipment and no substitutes exist.

___ Other reasoning to support a sole-source buy:

6. FAIR AND REASONABLE PRICE DETERMINATION:

It has been determined that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable and that approval of this recommendation is in the best interest of the government. This justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

X Contracting Officer (KO)